Getting Kid of a Book Agent.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 202, 28 August 1886, Page 5

Getting Kid of a Book Agent.

A lady who has the reputation of liking her jokes, perpetrated one on a book agent on a recent day that he will long remember. About 10 o'clock ono morning the agent, a young man of perhaps 24 years, approached the afoiesaid lady's residence, and ringing the boll, waited pationt'y for the summons to be answered. Little did he know what was in store for him ; if ho had he would have given that houso a wido berth. Soon the door was opened by our lady friend, who, upon noticing the book (family Biblo), already opened in the agent's hands while the face above it was wreathed in a sanctimonious smile, assumed an artistic expression of countenance, and, squinting her eyes behind her .steel-ribbod spectacles, screeched rathor than asked, " What'll you havo 1" The agent said, "Madam, would you not like to havo a nice family Bible for your parlour table 1 ' "No sir ; parlour table, indeed, I think that's the place for a Bible, hey ?" The agent was somewhat startled, but being a sharp follow, discovered that he had mado a mistake, and adopted other tactics. He asked her if she would not like one to read, if not for ornamental purposes. Then came tho startler. "Young man," she said, " I have got a Bible that I have used for 200 years, and I know every word of it by heart, from beginning to end." This statement was accompanied by robust gesticulations and awful grimaces of countenance. The young man began backing off, and when she had concluded, remarked that if ehe had a Bible he of couraa, could not sell ber another. At the foot of the -teps he paused, and, turning around, asked tbo lady if abe waa sure sbo had read hor Bible for 200 yeara. The result of this question more than startled him. She te whom it was directed started toward him, almost ecreeching out her former statement, and concluded by asking him if he had doubted her veracity. Ho of the Biblo bolted for the front gate on the keen jump, giving one backward ghnce after getting on the outside. He called next do: r and told his experience, concluding by asking how old " that woman" was. The neighbour appreciated tbo joke, and soon after called on her friend. Tbey have not got through laughing over tbe disconsolate book agent yet. This is a fact.